Days after the Gamecocks lost one of their top recruits for next season, 4-star safety Marlon Character, the team wasted no time getting back in the mix of things, signing their next defensive stud, 2-star DE Griffin Gentry.

While he’s not the athlete Character is, he’s certainly a nice consolation prize after losing the safety to SEC rival Auburn. Gentry, a strong-side defensive end from Birmingham, Alabama, had received offers from several smaller schools, Appalachian State, South Alabama, and Troy, before finally deciding that Columbia, S.C. is where he wants to continue playing football.

It’s going to be much more difficult for the 2-star end to find playing time in the SEC, but at least now he knows he’ll be playing against the best competition in the country. On a defensive line recruiting class that already includes 4-star DT Darius Whitfield, 3-star DE Jordan Smith, and 3-star DE Cecil Stallings, Gentry will be a welcomed addition.

Though I’m sure Gentry would’ve loved to play for legendary coach Steve Spurrier, who retired from the team earlier this season, remember this is a school that just brought in the no. 1 overall pick in 2014, DE Jadeveon Clowney. While the two are in completely different hemispheres in terms of athletic ability, make no mistake about it, there will be plenty of chances for Gentry to develop and shine at South Carolina.